Here is our remedy, and what sin will not these united keep under?

SECTION XXX.

Chap. ix. ver. 30-50.

JESUS INSTRUCTS HIS DISCIPLES.

30. And they departed thence, and passed through Galilee; and he would not that any man should know it.

31. For he taught his disciples, and said unto them, The Son of man is delivered into the hands of men, and they shall kill him; and after that he is killed, he shall rise the third day.

32. But they understood not that saying,

Observe, it was plain in itself, and we who live after the event, and know and believe the resurrection of Christ, cannot help wondering at the slowness of comprehension which the disciples here exhibited. Nevertheless such a resurrection was a strange thing in the earth, and the death of Christ contrary to the opinions entertained of the Messiah; and both these concurred to keep them in ignorance. Let us bring the matter home to ourselves. Plain words from the mouth of Christ are not plain to us; we have other things in view, are set down in other opinions, and do not wish them to be true.

32. And [they] were afraid to ask him.

They need not have been afraid, after the experience they had had of his readiness to instruct them, and his great patience with them; but most probably they did not choose to know more of what they were not willing to believe. Is not this our case? We plead ignorance, and remain ignorant of what we might know because we are suspicious beforehand, that it will put us upon doing something to which we have no mind.

33. And he came to Capernaum; and being in the house he asked them, What was it ye disputed among yourselves by the way?

He knew their hearts, and what lay lurking within them; as he does ours. O what a searching eye have we every moment upon us, and upon every thought that arises within us!

34. But they held their peace: for by the way they had disputed among themselves, who should be the greatest.

35. And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first,

That is truly so, and chiefest in God's esteem.

35. The same shall be last of all, and servant of all.

Let him be last of all, and servant even of the meanest, especially to help them in their way to heaven.

36. And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them : and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them,

37. Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.

Observe, 1st, Christ embraced the child (according to the Greek) to show how dear all such are to him. Observe, 2dly, he adds, whosoever shall receive one such little one in my name, in humility, poor in spirit, and as free from all ambitious, aspiring thoughts as a little child, "receiveth me," shall be so accounted of by me, as if he received me; and farther, he is rightly prepared to receive Christ into his heart, with all his graces.

38. And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us and we forbad him, because he followeth not us.

39. But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me. 40. For he that is not against us is on our part.

Here Christ teaches us to think and judge favourably of

all who are working against sin and Satan, though they do not altogether agree with us in opinion.

41. For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.

Thereby he shows his inward regard to Christ, and his love towards you, his disciples.

42. And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me,

Hinder them in their christian progress, by saying or doing anything to turn them from Christ,

42. It is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.

It were better for him to suffer the most shameful, violent death, than by hindering the salvation of the least penitent sinner, to gain all worldly advantages.-Edit.

43. And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched :

44. Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

45. And if thy foot offend thee, cut it off; it is better for thee to enter halt into life, than having two feet, to be cast into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched :

46. Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. 47. And if thine eye offend thee, pluck it out: it is better for thee to enter into the kingdom of God with one eye, than having two eyes to be cast into hell-fire:

48. Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.

Every thing must be parted with, though never so dear to us, that would hinder us from embracing and cleaving to Christ. We have no choice but either that, or eternal torments. God grant that we may never know what this fire and this worm are. Take especial notice, that to confirm our belief in this point, and to strike the greater awe into our souls, the warning is thrice repeated.

49. For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice

shall be salted with salt.

Every one who is an acceptable sacrifice unto God, must, and shall be salted with the Holy Ghost, and with fire, cleansing him from his corruption, and preserving him from future contamination, as salt does that upon which it is sprinkled.

50. Salt is good; but if the salt have lost its saltness, wherewith will ye season it?

This is a caution to the disciples and to others, to seek after, and retain the Holy Spirit, who is signified by the salt.

50. Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.

Have this salt in yourselves, and then you will be at peace with all the world. You will be loving and gentle to all, and there will be an end of all peevishness, sourness, and quarrelling, both within doors, and without. And if we are not thus disposed, both in our families and everywhere else, it is a proof that we have not this blessed salt

in us.

SECTION XXXI.

Chap. x. ver. 1—16.

CHRIST TREATS OF MARRIAGE,-BLESSES CHILDREN.

1. And he arose from thence, and cometh into the coasts of Judæa, by the farther side of Jordan: and the people resort unto him again; and as he was wont, he taught them again.

He knew his business in the world, and was always readv to carry it forward. O that we were but as ready to hear

him! And yet

done for ever.

if we

do not hear him gladly, we are unLet us not believe this in vain :-let us go

to him as the people did :—let us hear him in his word,— hear him speaking to us in our hearts.

2. And the Pharisees came to him, and asked him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife? tempting him.

The Pharisees held it was by warrant from Moses; and supposing Christ did not, thought to find matter against him. But he would not lose this opportunity of instructing them better in an important point. This is an example for all, and especially for ministers, not to dissemble or deny the truth for any fear of danger.

3. And he answered and said unto them, What did Moses command you?

4. And they said, Moses suffered to write a bill of divorcement, and to put her away.

5. And Jesus answered and said unto them, For the hardness of your heart he wrote you this precept.

That is to say, he gave you this permission. As much as if he had said, if you will do it, do it. But nevertheless God did not overlook the hardness of their hearts. Their condition in his sight was unaltered, notwithstanding this indulgence.

6. But from the beginning of the creation, God made them male and female.

7. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and cleave to his wife :

8. And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh.

One in heart and affection; one soul in two bodies; united in their prayers, and helping one another in all their designs both for this world, and the next. What a happy state is this! And how lamentable it is, when an husband and wife are united for life only to vex and thwart each other! Alas! how many such unchristian marriages are there in all places!